State of Wyoming Archives: on Drugs

Bill Dahlin: Industrial hemp could help Wyoming farmers profit

Candidates were skeptical that technology stands to help Wyoming's fossil-fuel-based economy in a significant way. Allowing industrial hemp could help Wyoming farmers profit from $1 billion worth of products imported to the U.S., said Bill Dahlin, a Republican businessman from Sheridan. Source: US News & World Report on 2018 Wyoming gubernatorial race Jun 11, 2018

Charlie Hardy: Legalize marijuana

The Democratic candidates tangled over the oft-maligned filibuster that has continually left Congress in gridlock. Charlie Hardy, a retired priest from Cheyenne, compared Congress to children. "As we look at Congress, it's a bunch of misbehaving children not giving each other the chance to talk about things," Hardy said. "I don't think people should cut off the right of other people to discuss things in Congress."

Rex Wilde, a former Texan working in the energy industry in Cheyenne, said he would block the filibuster. "Yes, I would," Wilde said. "On the Hill right now, those people have totally lost touch with the working class."

Both candidates agreed that marijuana should be legalized. "I'm for full-blown legalization as soon as possible," Wilde said.

Source: Casper Star-Tribune on 2014 Wyoming Senate race Aug 14, 2014

Chris Rothfuss: Voted NO on allowing property forfeiture in drug cases

Excerpts from legislation: Bill SF 14: Amends Property Forfeiture Laws: Relating to the Controlled Substances Act: Any person convicted of a [drug] violation shall not be subject to summary forfeiture. If the state seeks forfeiture, the indictment shall specifically identify the property sought to be forfeited; a separate forfeiture hearing will be held; and all property shall be returned unless there is a verdict of guilt.

Excerpts from veto message:Asset forfeiture has been in place in Wyoming for decades. Asset forfeiture takes the profit out of illegal drugs. Crime should not pay, especially drug crime. In some states civil forfeiture has been abused. We do not have the abuses found in other states. Those who speak against civil forfeiture have not found one abuse of law in a 40-year history.

Legislative outcome:Bill passed House 54-6-0, Feb. 9; passed Senate 26-3-1, Feb. 27; State Sen. Chris Rothfuss voted YES; vetoed by Gov. Mead, Feb 27

Source: Wyoming Legislative voting records SF14 Feb 27, 2019

Jim Geringer: Supports drug courts & breaking the drug cycle

I support legislation to expand drug courts. We must keep our Methamphetamine Initiative energized! We need to drive science-based programs through the use of our new statistical analysis center within the University. We must reach out to more people, across Wyoming, to break this vicious cycle - a cycle, that fills and refills our prisons, jeopardizes our people and breaks so many parents hearts. Prevention, early intervention, treatment, control, follow-up, BREAKING THE CYCLE. Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature Jan 10, 2001

Keith Goodenough: DARE-style programs to educate kids about drugs and violence

Using the public education system to educate students about the dynamics of violence and what to do about it is an obvious possibility. We have a widespread effort through the DARE program directed toward the issue of drug usage, but no analogous program directed towards violence. There has been some progress made with the addition of bully proofing curriculums in some school districts, but the scope and range of these programs is still very limited. Source: Wyoming Tribune Eagle, "Our Children Are Our Future" Feb 7, 2005

Mary Throne: Voted NO on allowing property forfeiture in drug cases

Excerpts from veto message: Asset forfeiture has been in place in Wyoming for decades. Asset forfeiture takes the profit out of illegal drugs. Crime should not pay, especially drug crime. In some states civil forfeiture has been abused. We do not have the abuses found in other states. Those who speak against civil forfeiture have not found one abuse of law in a 40-year history.

Legislative outcome: Bill passed House 54-6-0, Feb. 9 (Rep. Mary Throne voted YEA); passed Senate 26-3-1, Feb. 27; vetoed by Gov. Mead, Feb 27

Source: Wyoming legislative voting records: SF 14 Feb 27, 2015

Matt Mead: Narcotic prescriptions abused more than illegal drugs

The death rate for misuse of narcotic prescription drugs exceeds all other illegal drug and drunk-driving deaths combined. We need to better monitor narcotic prescription drugs at point of contact to prevent abuse and lower the death rate.

Other pressing matters include health issues, ag issues, law enforcement issues, our aging population. I would look closely at legislation you put before me that addresses them.

Source: 2011 Wyoming State of the State Address Jan 12, 2011

Matt Mead: Allow property forfeiture in drug cases

Excerpts from veto message: Asset forfeiture has been in place in Wyoming for decades. Asset forfeiture takes the profit out of illegal drugs. Crime should not pay, especially drug crime. In some states civil forfeiture has been abused. We do not have the abuses found in other states. Those who speak against civil forfeiture have combed Wyoming's forfeiture files and have not found one abuse of law in a 40-year history.

Legislative outcome: Bill passed House 54-6-0, Feb. 9; passed Senate 26-3-1, Feb. 27; vetoed by Gov. Mead, Feb

Source: Wyoming legislative voting records: SF 14 Feb 27, 2015

Tim Chesnut: Decriminalize marijuana possession & medical marijuana

Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
Enhance penalties for subsequent convictions for driving under the influence.
Allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.

Source: Wyoming 2004 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2004

John Barrasso: Rated F by NORML: no medical marijuana

NORML Politician Info:

Candidate: John Barrasso (R-WY) Holds office U.S. Senate; Candidate for Senate on August 20, 2024
Summary: NO MEDICAL USE
Comments:
He wrote in a constituent letter that he understands "the impact of a life-long struggle with pain on people's lives, but there remain legal and proven ways to safely address those concerns as opposed to the unfettered use of any cannabidiol or marijuana product." (2022)
"Q: Does our demand for drugs motivate the Mexican drug gangs?
BARRASSO: I really do not ever approve of this 'let's blame Americans first' approach. These are narcotic traffickers. It is a network of criminals, and we need to do everything we can to disrupt the entire network. If they weren't moving drugs, the same criminal networks would just do another form of crime to try to make profits." (3/26/2009)

Source: NORML "Smoke the Vote" on 2024 Wyoming Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Scott Morrow: Decriminalize and automatically expunge criminal records

Position on Marijuana Legalization: "Many states have already legalized, decriminalized and taxed the sale of MJ with safety regulations. Unfortunately the businesses doing so, can not get bank accounts. These distributors should be able to get business bank or credit union accounts. Safety regulations like those for alcohol are appropriate and recommended.

"The federal laws should all be consistent with the multiple states who have decriminalized or re-legalized MJ. Appropriate regulations to ensure clean usable MJ should be enacted by HHS.

"Not only should automatic expungement of any criminal record for MJ possession be introduced, passed and signed by POTUS, but anyone incarcerated should be immediately pardoned for such." (Candidate Survey Response)

Source: NORML survey on 2024 Wyoming Senate race Nov 1, 2024

Mark Gordon: Would consider medical marijuana; not recreational use

I asked Gordon how he feels about cannabis, and he said that while he is willing to look at medical marijuana, he is not in favor of recreational marijuana for the state of Wyoming.

"Colorado particularly bothers me in the sense that over the years, you can look at Colorado, and gradually, the downtown got a little better, but it's since gotten worse, it's really sad to see kids sleeping on the streets."

Source: KTWO (K2radio) on 2026 Wyoming Gubernatorial race Feb 6, 2023

The above quotations are from State of Wyoming Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2024 Presidential contenders on Drugs:*
	*Candidates for President & Vice-President:* V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA) Chase Oliver(L-GA) Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA) Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL) Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH) Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN) Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)	*2024 presidential primary contenders:* Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE) N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R) N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R) Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R) S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R) Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R) Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN) Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH) S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026